X-RAY VISIONA LOOK INSIDE MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY

ra·di·o·log·ic tech·nol·o·gist (rā'dē-ō-loj'ik tek-nol'ŏ-jist) the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments

Radiologic Technologist

FIRST X-RAY IMAGEFIRST CT SCAN

1895 The x-ray was discovered by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8.

1971FIRST MR SCAN1977

X-ray of Roentgen’s wife’s hand and wedding ring.

2 YEARS Associate Degree Program at academic institution

PASS National Certification Exam

+ EARN CONTINUING EDUCATIONCREDITS EVERY 2 YEARS

4 YEARSBachelor’s Degree Program at academic institution

Source: October 2016 ARRT Census

24.5k

2k

5.5k

6k

23k

3k

6k

2.5k2k

1.5k 1k

1k 1k

1k

2.5k 4k

6k

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4k

6k 4k 5.5k 10.5k

8k5.5k

11.5k

23k

8.5k3k15k8.5k

11k17k

17k

1.5k1k

7k1k

4k9k

6k1k

2k

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1k

6.5k

14.5k

7.5k

3.5k

332,755 REGISTERED RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS

AN

NU

ALL

Y 78.7MCT procedures

37.8MMR procedures

1.2MRadiation therapy

treatments initiated

14.5MNuclear medicine scans

159.7M x-ray procedures performed in the United States.

R.T.

24

Contains storage phosphors that are sensitive to ionizing radiation and are used for monitoring radiation exposure to R.T.s.

DOSIMETRY BADGEOn average, x-ray room walls have lead lining that is

1/16 inch-thick. That’s 4.5 times thinner than the new iPhone 7. The lead-plate walls stop radiation in its tracks.

A LITTLE LEAD GOES A LONG WAY...Pb

82

207.2 28

1832184

lead

1.58 mm

7.1 mm

Lead Sheet

iPhone 7

THE GOLDEN RULE

ALARAAs Low As Reasonably AchievableThe practice to make every reasonable effort to minimize patient and personal radiation exposure by adjusting time, distance and shielding during a procedure.

When you’re scheduled for a medical imaging examination or radiation therapy treatment, the person who performs your exam or delivers your treatment is called a radiologic technologist. Registered radiologic technologists, R.T.s, are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and patient care.

WHO’S TAKING MY X-RAY?

iPhone 6

Lead Sheet

(CT) (CT scan) Obtains “slices” of anatomy at different levels of the body so physicians can view what’s happening inside organs.

(M) Produces images of breast tissue to diagnose and rule out breast disease.

(VI) Fluoroscopic procedures specifically targeted for catheter placement and the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.

Vascular-Interventional Radiography

(CI) Fluoroscopic procedures specifically targeted for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases.

Cardiac-Interventional Radiography

(R) (X-ray) Produces images of anatomy to detect bone fractures, find foreign objects and show the relationship between bone and soft tissue.

(S) (Ultrasound) Uses sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body.

(T) Administration of targeted doses of radiation to the patient’s body to treat cancer or other diseases.

(CMD) Radiation dose is calculated and generated for distribution treatment plans, determined by the patient’s oncologist.

(N) Radiopharmaceuticals in body emit gamma rays that provide functional information about organs, tissues and bone.

(QM)Monitors the quality of processes and systems in the radiology department.

(MR) (MRI) Creates detailed images of anatomy by exposing atoms in the patient’s body to a strong magnetic field.

(BD) Measures bone mineral density to diagnose and rule out osteoporosis.

TECHNOLOGY

EQUIPMENT= avg # of units per facility

4.5X-Rayunits

CT scanners

Radiation Therapytreatment units

2

2

Strange Appearances...

Foreign bodies are frequently encountered in medical imaging and can range from intentionally placed objects, such as medical devices and surgical hardware, to debris from accidents and injuries and a wide variety of swallowed items.

©2014 ASRT. All rights reserved. Statistical revisions 2016.

The ASRT is the largest radiologic science association in the world. Its mission is to advance and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

1900 1950 2000

Source: Statistics obtained from IMV 2013 and 2015 reports

Source: ASRT Radiation Therapy Staffing and Workplace Survey 2016 and ASRT Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey 2015

Radiologist assistants are experienced R.T.s who have obtained additional education and certification that qualifies them to serve as radiologist extenders. They work under the supervision of a radiologist to help improve productivity and efficiency.

www.asrt.org

Dosimetry Badge